Electrically operated pump



DCC. 3, 1935. F jI 5. JONES ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PUMP Filed March 29, 1935 ZZomay.

Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Francis Joseph Stawell Jones, Porthcawl, South Wales Application March 29, 1935, Serial No. 13,733 In Great Britain April 7, 1934 10 Claims.

My present invention relates to electrically operated diaphragm pumps for raising liquid fuel and for analogous purposes. In a known form of diaphragm pump at present in use the diaphragm is secured to an armature which is attracted to an electromagnet by energizing the magnet, and the movement of the armature is employed to actuate a make and break device to enable spring means to return the diaphragm in the` opposed direction to that moved by the energizing of the electromagnet. The armature is located at one end of the electrcmagnet and consequently as the diaphragm is secured around the whole of its periphery, special means have to be provided to make sure that the armature moves in an axial path in relation to the diaphragm. One means proposed for maintaining this truly axial alignment comprises a number of discs with rounded edges bearing against the inner face of the iron casing of the magnet. It has heretofore been considered necessary to incorporate some such means in order to obtain the desired responsiveness to the limited energy available from the normal source of current associated with motor road vehicles, and also the space available for the pump. One object of my invention is to obviate the necessity of a supplementary guiding device, for maintaining axial alignment, e. g. the said discs. In my U. S. A. specification No. 1,973,486 I have described and claimed a liquid fuel pump in which the diaphragm is mounted so as to oscilate inside a pump chamber, an arm extending from the diaphragm adapted to be operated from a prime mover, and a further object of my present invention is to provide a construction of pump which in a cheap and simple manner will enable this oscillation of the diaphragm to be effected electrically. An additional object of my invention is to obtain the maximum electrical energy for the normal voltage supply of motor road vehicles with a simple and compact mechanism for oscillating the diaphragm.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, an embodiment thereof is illustrated by the accompanying sheet of drawing, wherein:-

Fig. 1 is an outside elevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the make and break device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the armature and diaphragm.

Fig. 6 is an inside plan view of the cup member constituting the pump chamber.

Fig. '7 is a section through the pump chamber on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of resistance for preventing sparking.

Referring to the drawing which shows an elec- 5 trically operated pump suitable for use in raising liquid fuel and for like purposes and which comprises a soft iron or steel cylindrical casing I accommodating a coil 2 through the centre of which passes a core type of armature 3. This armature 10 progressively increases in diameter from one end 3a to the other 3b, the larger end 3b being formed with an integral flange 4 which as shown in Fig. 5 is eccentric therewith. The largest radius part of this eccentric flange 4 bears on its inner face 15 against an abutment in the form of a small stud 6 fixed in an annular part l of the integral flange 8 of the casing accommodating the coil. By this arrangement when the coil 2 is energized, if the axis of the said armature 3 is as shown normal- 20 ly inclined relatively to the axis of the coil the said eccentric flange will be oscillated as the armature is drawn inwards. To the eccentric flange 4 is fixed by any suitable means the ilexible diaphragm 9, a simple and cheap method consisting Z5 in gripping the diaphragm between the said flange 4 and a disc I 0 corresponding in shape to the flange. This can be effected by merely passing a screw il through the disc l0 axially into the armature.

The narrow end 3a of the armature terminates almost but not quite in contact with a steel or iron disc I2 fixed in the top of the said casing and adding to the magnet field of the coil, so that owing to the said normal inclination of the axis of the armature, when the coil is energized, the magnetic field appropriate to the said disc will draw the narrow diameter end of the armature from one side of the axis of the core to the other side, or at least move it in such direction, so that in addition to the larger diameter end of the armature being drawn inwardly by the magnetic action of the coil, the movement is further assisted by the magnetic action of the said disc l2 whereby a large amount of energy is usefully employed in moving the armature inwards and laterally, thereby swinging the flange 4 carrying the diaphragm in one direction about the abutment 6 it engages.

The part l will also act as a magnet on the flange 4 by tapering the armature 3 so that its largest diameter end is the end carrying the diaphragm the greatest ux is obtained at the end which carries the load, and also such tapering enables the axis of the armature to be inclined 55 relatively to the axis of the cOil 2 to an extent which provides room for movement in an arcuate path of the armature inside the coil to an extent suiiicient to actuate the diaphragm and without having to employ a large diameter coil 2.

To return the diaphragm in the reverse direction a coiled tension spring I3 is connected to the free end of an L shaped non-magnetic flat plate I4 secured by one limb diametrically across the narrow end of the armature, the other limb upstanding beyond the said magnetic disc I2 to receive one end of the said spring I3, the other end being connected to a xed pin I4 in a cover member I5 hereinafter described. This L shaped plate operates in a diametrical slot I6 formed in the said magnetic disc I2 and its movement is also employed to operate a make and break device. The make and break device comprises a small coiled compression spring l1 of tapered form connected to the free end of the L shaped member Ill and to a finger or limb I8 depending from the axis of oscillation of a contact carrying plate I9, having a contact I9a, the displacement and intermittent compression of this spring arising out of the oscillation of the L shaped plate rocking the contact carrying plate I9 about the said axis. The contact carrying plate can be supported at its axisof oscillation by a pin 2o passed through an integral lug 2| formed thereon and a pair of upstanding lugs .'22r on an inverted U section non-conducting cover member I5 iixed to the magnetic disc carrying end of the said casing. The cover member I5 has part of its top transverse portion removed to receive the contact carrying member I9. The contact 23a which co-operates with that on the said oscillating plate I8 can be formed on a resilient finger 23 extending from the transverse portion of the U shaped cover member I5. A suitable terminal 2i passed through this resilient strip receives one of the leads 25 of the coil, the, other lead 26 being connected to the resilient contact plate 23, the said terminal being insulated from the contact plate. The circuit is closed by grounding when the oscillating plate brings its contact into engagement with the contact on the resilient plate, the grounding wire 2t being connected to the member I9 and to the casing I.

When employing an oscillating type of diaphragm as above described, the peripherial part of the diaphragm is secured between the flanged end 8 of the casing I and a pump chamber 2l shaped as a cover plate tted against said flanged end 8. This pump chamber 21 is recessed on its inner face eccentrically to provide a shallow eccentric compartment 28 adapted to receive the eccentrically located outer disc I0 which is secured against the diaphragm. The aforementioned screw II, which secures the eccentric disc in position, can be accommodated in a small recess 2.5!y in the inner face of the pump chamber. The pump chamber is obtained by forming an integral tubular enlargement 3B on the outer face of the said recessed member, one end being formed with an adaptor 5I for connection to an outlet pipe, the connection to inlet or the source of supply of liquid fuel being by means of a uni-lateral branch tubular extension 32 of the said integral sleeve. The tube 30 accommodates a concentric tubular filter 33. which abuts against a seating 3d in the outlet end of the tube Sil, said seating having a non-return disc or other suitable type of Valve 35 and having disposed opposite it an oppositely acting non-return valve 3G on the outlet side of the said sleeve. The

space between the two valves communicates with the diaphragm chamber 28 by means of one or more apertures 31.

To obviate sparking due to induction which is a fault with existing types of electrically oper- 5 ated liquid fuel pumps, a resistance coil 38 (see Fig. 8) is connected across the two ends of the wire forming the coil and the most suitable form of resistance for this purpose is obtained by providing a length of resista-nce wire e. g. German 10 silver, and connecting one end to one end of the coil winding 2, and the other end to the other end of the coil winding. The resistance wire is now doubled as shown and this doubled wire is twisted about the external portion of the coil but 15 insulated therefrom. In the drawing I have shown this doubled wire separate from the coil 2 to avoid confusion. By winding the resistance coil in this manner it is non-inductive and does not cause a magnetic eld.

When the device is intended for use on a diaphragm pump in which the centre of the diaphragm is moved in an axial path in relation to the coil, the axis of the tapered core armature would be on the axis of the coil 2, and the nar- 25 row diameter end of the armature would be located so as to nearly but not quite come into contact with the before mentioned magnetic disc I2 at the end of the energizing periods.

for raising and delivering liquid fuel, an elec- 4o trically energizable coil, a core type of armature with said coil having a conical periphery so that one end is of greater diameter than the other, means connecting the said larger diameter end of the armature to approximately the centre of 4:5

the diaphragm, and a magnetic member at one end of the coil narrowly spaced from the narrow end of the armature adapted to attract the narrow end of the armature when the coil is energized, and a make and break device for the coil circuit actuated by the movement of the armature.

2. Electrically operated pump for supplying liquid fuel comprising a pump chamber, a diaphragm mounted for oscillation therein adapted to be oscillated to eifect suction and compression for raising and delivering liquid fuel, an electrically energizable coil, a core type of armature with said coil having a conical periphery so that one end is of greater diameter than the other, 60

means connecting the said larger diameter end of the armature to approximately the centre of the diaphragm, and a magnetic member at one end of the coil narrowly spaced from the narrow end of the armature adapted to attract the narrow 65 around its periphery in the pump chamber, inlet 70 and outlet passages in said chamber iniiuenced by the suction and compression movements of the diaphragm, and valve controlled means for successively opening and closing said passages.

3. Electrically operated pump for supplying ThisMw narrow diameter end of the core member cant() liquid fuel comprising a pump chamber, a diaphragm mounted for oscillation therein adapted to be oscillated to eiect suction and compression for raising and delivering liquid fuel, an electrically energizable coil, a core type of armature with said coil having a conical periphery so that one end is of greater diameter than the other, means connecting the said larger diameter end of the armature to approximately the centre of the diaphragm, and a magnetic member at one end of the coil narrowly spaced from the' narrow end of the armature adapted to attract the narrow end of the armature when the coil is energized, a non-magnetic extension carried by and moving with the narrow end of said armature extending through said magnetic member, a spring connected to said extension and yielding by opposing movement of said armature under the influence of the coil, and a pair of contacts engaged and disengaged by the movement of said extension for making and breaking the circuit of the coil.

4. Electrically operated pump for supplying liquid fuel comprising a pump chamber, a diaphragm mounted for oscillation therein adapted to be oscillated to effect suction and compression for raising and delivering liquid fuel, an electrically energizable coil, a core type of armature with said coil having a conical periphery so that one end is of greater diameter than the other, means connecting the said larger diameter end of the armature to approximately the centre of the diaphragm, and a magnetic member at one end of the coil narrowly spaced from the narrow end of the armature adapted to attract the narrow end of the armature when the coil is energized, and a make and break device for the coil circuit actuated by the movement of the armature, the axis of said armature being inclined relatively to the axis of the coil, a flange like plate carried by the larger diameter end of said armature, another plate between which and the before mentioned plate the diaphragm is secured at its centre, an abutment in the pump chamber, spring means pressing the first mentioned plate against said abutment, said abutment being unilaterally displaced relatively to the diaphragm axis and forming the axis of oscillation of the diaphragm.

5. A diaphragm pump for raising liquid fuel in internal combustion engines comprising a cylindrical casing an electrically energizable coil therein, a core armature spaced within said coil, a progressively tapered surface on said armature making one end of larger diameter than the other, a flexible diaphragm secured at about its centre to the larger diameter end of the armature, a pump chamber mounted over said diaphragm and secured to one end of said casing, the said diaphragm being secured around its periphery across said chamber, a make and break device at the other end of the casing, an extension of the narrow end of said armature actuating said make and break device, and a magnetic plate located at said latter end of the casing adapted to attract the narrow end of the armature when the said coil is energized.

6. In an electrically operated pump an electrically energizable coil, a core armature passing therethrough, a conical surface on said armature making one end larger in diameter than the other, a plate like enlargement at said larger end, magnetic plates at both ends of said coll, and a diaphragm connected to said armature, the said plate like enlargement forming part of the armature. 5

7. Electrically operated pump for supplying liquid fuel comprising a pump chamber, a diaphragm mounted therein adapted to be actuated to effect suction and compression for raising and delivering the liquid fuel, an electrically ener- 10 gizable coil mounted upon said chamber, a core type of armature in said coil extending at one end into said chamber and connected at such end to the diaphragm and progressively diminishing in diameter towards the other end, and 15 means actuated by movement of said armature to make and break the circuit of the course of current for energizing the coil.

8. In an electrically operated diaphragm pump,

a pump chamber', a diaphragm secured at its 20 periphery therein, an electrically energizable coil, an armature extending through the coil and connected at one end to the diaphragm, said armature being spaced from the coil by an air space which is narrower at said end of the armature 25 than the other whereby it may reciprocate in an arcuate path, a make and break device for the coil circuit actuated by the armature at the end remote from the diaphragm, an enlargement on said armature at the diaphragm end, an abut- 30 ment against which said enlargement is engaged at a point on one side of the armature whereby the armature is restrained to follow an arcuate path inside the coil and the diaphragm oscillated. 35

9. In an electrically operated diaphragm pump,

a pumpV chamber, a diaphragm secured at its periphery therein, an electrically energizable coil, an armature extending through the coil and connected at one end to the diaphragm, said arma- 40 ture being spaced from the coil by an air space which is narrower at said end of the armature than the other whereby it may reciprocate in an arcuate path, a make and break device for the coil circuit actuated by the armature at the end 45 remote from the diaphragm, an enlargement on said armature at the diaphragm end, an abutment against which said enlargement is engaged at a point on one side of the armature whereby the armature is restrained to follow an arcuate path inside the coil and the diaphragm oscillated, inlet and outlet passages in said chamber influenced by the suction and compression movements of the diaphragm, and valve controlled means for successively opening and clos- 55 ing said passages.

10. In an electrically operated diaphragm pump, an electrically energizable coil, an armature extending through the coil and spaced from the coil by an air space which is narrower 60 at one end of the armature than the other, a pump diaphragm secured inside the periphery to one end of the armature, a make and break device for the coil circuit actuated by the other end of the armature, the axis of said core ar- 65 mature being inclined relatively to the axis of the coil, a pump chamber in which the diaphragm is secured by its periphery, an abutment in said pump chamber to one side of said armature forming an axis of oscillation of said diaphragm. 70

FRANCIS JOSEPH STAWELL JONES. 

